Kate Clark - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Kate Clarkposted a journal

2163 days ago

Willie Radl, Barbara Wood reacted to this

Hello fellow ❤️ Patients: I am going to have a spa pedicure, manicure without polish, hair wash & French braids. I thought this would be a Great Way ...Read more

Hello fellow ❤️ Patients: I am going to have a spa pedicure, manicure without polish, hair wash & French braids. I thought this would be a Great Way to get pampered the day before my ❤️ Surgery. I am packed, & our plane flight & hotel room is booked for Thursday, 12/20/2018. I am ready & watching Christmas movies off our DVR. I have done all that I can do. I am as prepared as I can be thanks to Adam’s book & this website I am informed & all my questions for before, during & after my ❤️ Surgery have been answered. I am so thankful & blessed for this Great community of my fellow ❤️ patients. I will either post after my ❤️ Surgery OR my hubby Spyder will. Love & Peace, ❤️✌🏻👼🏻

Susan Lynn You're going to do just fine, Kate! Sounds like you're ready to join the recovery club. We'll be he ... Read more

Susan Lynn You're going to do just fine, Kate! Sounds like you're ready to join the recovery club. We'll be here cheering you on and awaiting your good news!

Lisa Guinan Great idea on the spa day. Best wishes to you!

Dan Baltazor Great way to spend the day before! Praying for your surgery. We'll be waiting for yours or your hus ... Read more

Dan Baltazor Great way to spend the day before! Praying for your surgery. We'll be waiting for yours or your husband's post op post.

David Moore Praying all went well today during your surgery and that tonight finds you resting comfortably on thi ... Read more

David Moore Praying all went well today during your surgery and that tonight finds you resting comfortably on this first day of Winter. - Cheryl

Kate Clarkposted a journal

2168 days ago

I have crossed all of my t’s and dotted all of my i’s. I have written, signed, witnessed, & notarized my will, living will, and medical power of attorney. ...Read more

I have crossed all of my t’s and dotted all of my i’s. I have written, signed, witnessed, & notarized my will, living will, and medical power of attorney. I have packed my bag for the hospital stay (estimated 5-7 days). I have my list of what I need for rehab after (estimated 7-10 days). I have completed all of my pre-surgical tests & appointments. Thanks to this web site & Adam’s book - I feel prepared & ready for what will come after my ❤️ Surgery. I just wish I had more energy to complete a few more chores before I fly up to Seattle from Pasco, WA (Tri-Cities area, S. Central WA State) on Thursday evening, 12/20/2018. But, I can only do what my body allows me to. Love & Peace, ❤️✌🏻👼🏻

Dan Baltazor Sounds like you got this! Praying for you.

Rob Sparling Solid! Way to go. Dig in, hold on, focus on the other side! You can do this! ❤️💪

Susan Lynn Kate- you're more than prepared! You're going to do just fine and be home unpacking that bag before ... Read more

Susan Lynn Kate- you're more than prepared! You're going to do just fine and be home unpacking that bag before you know it! Please keep us posted on your progress! ❤

Mark Jaycox Hi Kate, you got this. I just had my AVR surgery on the 4th with Dr Barnhart. I’m less than two wee ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Hi Kate, you got this. I just had my AVR surgery on the 4th with Dr Barnhart. I’m less than two weeks post and recovering well. You’ll love Swedish and they’ll take good care of you.

Kate Clark Thanks for the a wonderful words! Love & Peace❤️✌🏻👼🏻

Kate Clarkposted a journal

2219 days ago

Hello Fine ❤️ Folks: Question for you: Does anyone have Seasonal Affective Dissorder (SAD)? OR General Anxiety? I find that now that I am preparing ...Read more

Hello Fine ❤️ Folks: Question for you: Does anyone have Seasonal Affective Dissorder (SAD)? OR General Anxiety? I find that now that I am preparing for my ❤️ Surgery, that my SAD symptoms are worse this year than last year. I also am having increased anxiety on preventing passing out/worsening chest pains. I am forcing myself to take more breaks and sleep at least 8-10 hours a night. I am alone 11 hours a day, Monday - Thursday, while my hubby is at work. I do not want him to come home from work and find me passed out. Thanks in advance for any replies. Love & Peace ❤️✌🏻👼🏻

MARIE PICUN Have you talked to your doctor? He could give you some anxiety pills to help you

Nancy Luth I agree with Marie. I used anti anxiety pills regularly the weeks before surgery. Now four weeks p ... Read more

Nancy Luth I agree with Marie. I used anti anxiety pills regularly the weeks before surgery. Now four weeks post op, I don't need any - only an occasional pain pill.

Kate Clark Thanks Marie Picun & Nancy Luth for your responses. I am already taking an anti-anxiety medication.

Kate Clarkposted an update

2226 days ago

Hello, fellow ❤️ surgery folks: Please, I have 2 questions I would love answers to: 1. Does anyone else have fibromyalgia like me? 2. Has anyone traveled ...Read more

Hello, fellow ❤️ surgery folks: Please, I have 2 questions I would love answers to: 1. Does anyone else have fibromyalgia like me? 2. Has anyone traveled to a different city for your surgery? If yes, were you able to travel via car or train back to your home, after you were discharged from the hospital? If no, did you have to go to a rehab facility for days OR weeks before you could travel home? Thanks So Much! Love & Peace ❤️✌🏻👼🏻

Philip Langlois I plan to travel 5 hours by car. I don't have direct experience yet, but I did speak with several peo ... Read more

Philip Langlois I plan to travel 5 hours by car. I don't have direct experience yet, but I did speak with several people who did it. All agreed it not going to be an issue at all. One did train, the other's by car. I'm going for it!

Catie B Hi Kate!
No fibromyalgia here. I did not travel by car/train. But I was on my own with the entire pr ... Read more

Catie B Hi Kate!
No fibromyalgia here. I did not travel by car/train. But I was on my own with the entire process, flew to Cleveland, weathered a few complications after surgery and flew home. Stayed in a nearby hotel for a few days when I couldn't leave town promptly to return home. My understanding on rehab is, that if you're walking well and they see you can manage activities of daily life alright, insurance won't ordinarily authorize a rehab stay.
Best to you!

Jill Mullikin I can’t answer about the fibromyalgia but my son was able to travel by car 5 days after surgery. W ... Read more

Jill Mullikin I can’t answer about the fibromyalgia but my son was able to travel by car 5 days after surgery. We had a 12 hour drive that we split into 2 days and he did fine.

Bradley Dunn I traveled 12 hours by car to Cleveland.

Rob Sparling I traveled 4 hours by car from Michigan to Cleveland. Caused no issues on return trip — we stopped ... Read more

Rob Sparling I traveled 4 hours by car from Michigan to Cleveland. Caused no issues on return trip — we stopped every hour so I could walk around.

It was about 10 days in total. Arrived Sunday night for a day of additional tests on Monday, Tuesday was full day of consult, Weds surgery, ICU for two nights, step-down for 4 nights and two days in Cleveland after discharge before getting the “one week follow-up” visit at day 8. A long stretch of time but not complicated. Hotel bill added $2300 to overall cost.

Kate Clark Wow! Thanks so much to you Fine folks who responded to my query. I feel so much better now about my ... Read more

Kate Clark Wow! Thanks so much to you Fine folks who responded to my query. I feel so much better now about my train & car trip from Seattle, WA down to Richland,WA. We just booked our train trip up to Seattle, WA for the pre-surgery appointment with the cardiac surgeon. Love & Peace ❤️✌🏻👼🏻

Catie B Hope everything goes very smoothly for you, Kate!